The early Friday release of "The Dark Knight Rises" was one of the most eagerly anticipated movie events of the summer.

On Thursday, movie ticket seller Fandango reported that the last installment in the Christopher Nolan-directed Batman trilogy was "outpacing summer blockbuster 'The Avengers' in ticket sales at the same point in the sales cycle."

"The final chapter of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy has sold out on Fandango more than 2,000 showtimes nationwide and it's currently on track to become one of Fandango's top-selling movies of all time," the ticket seller reported.

An attack by an armed gunman in Aurora, Colorado, at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" was met with shock and grief throughout the country, and cast a shadow over what for fans was set to be a blockbuster weekend.

Experts said it's difficult to determine what, if any, effect the tragedy may have on either ticket sales or fan turnout in the days and weeks to come.

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

The public gets its first glimpse of James Holmes, then 24, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting during his initial court appearance July 23, 2012. With his hair dyed reddish-orange, Holmes, here with public defender Tamara Brady, showed little emotion. He is accused of opening fire in a movie theater July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and wounding 70. Holmes faces 166 counts, almost all alleging murder or attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. More photos: Mourning the victims of the Colorado theater massacre

Hide Caption

1 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Police release the official photo from Holmes' booking after the shooting.

Hide Caption

2 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Holmes often had a blank stare during his July 23, 2012, court appearance, seeming to be in a daze.

Hide Caption

3 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Victims and their relatives and journalists watch the proceedings in 2012.

Hide Caption

4 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Flags fly at half-staff on July 23, 2012, at the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Centennial, Colorado, where the movie theater shooting suspect had his first court appearance. The murder counts against Holmes carry a possible death penalty.

Hide Caption

5 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers talks to reporters July 23, 2012, before heading into the courthouse. The murder counts against Holmes carry a possible death penalty.

Hide Caption

6 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Family members of the victims arrive at the courthouse July 23, 2012, for the suspect's first court appearance.

Hide Caption

7 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

The Century Aurora 16 multiplex in Aurora becomes a place of horror after a gunman opened fire July 20, 2012, in a crowded theater.

Hide Caption

8 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Holmes is accused of opening fire during a midnight screening of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises." Holmes purchased four weapons and more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition, police say.

Hide Caption

9 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Police investigate outside the Century 16 multiplex July 21, 2012, a day after the mass shooting.

Hide Caption

10 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Agents search the suspect's car outside the theater.

Hide Caption

11 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Aurora police escort a sand-filled dump truck containing improvised explosive devices removed from Holmes' booby-trapped apartment on July 21, 2012. Authorities have said they believe the suspect rigged his place before leaving for the movie theater.

Hide Caption

12 of 45

Photos:Colorado movie theater massacre

Police break a window at the suspect's apartment July 20, 2012, in Aurora.

JUST WATCHED

Witness sees shots through theater wall

MUST WATCH

JUST WATCHED

Witness: Shooter was aiming everywhere

MUST WATCH

Witness: Shooter was aiming everywhere03:47

"For somebody to go into a movie theater, a place of fun and escapism, and bring that kind of violence into that world is shocking and tragic," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office division of Hollywood.com. "How this will affect the movie, I just don't know."

According to Exhibitor Relations, the film did brisk business for its midnight screenings, raking in $30.6 million. Many fans had pre-purchased tickets for screenings across the country.

Dergarabedian said the current focus has been rightfully on those injured and killed because of the violence. Beyond that it is up to Warner Bros., the studio that released the film, to decide how to proceed with marketing in the wake of the tragedy, he said.

Warner Bros. pulled the trailer for the film "Gangster Squad," which had been running before showings of "The Dark Knight Rises." That film trailer features scenes of men armed with machine guns attacking a movie theater. A representative for the company told CNN that Warner Bros. did not plan to cancel any screenings.

Thelma Adams, contributing editor for Yahoo Movies, said the tragedy poses a conundrum for the studio.

"I know people at Warner Bros. who were called and woken up this morning who now have a huge problem on their hands," she said. "I think in the long run, a lot of the money is made globally with a movie like this and that will not have an impact."

Adams continued, "Also it's not just an opening weekend movie. There (are) no other movies kind of in competition this weekend as a lot of other movies stepped off this weekend and next weekend. Yes, there will be some impact of the revenue stream, but it's not going to really hurt."

Warner Bros. canceled the film's planned premiere in Paris on Friday and released the following statement: "Warner Bros. and the filmmakers are deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time."

An official with Paris police told CNN there was a police presence outside the Bristol Hotel, where cast members of "The Dark Knight Rises" were staying before the premiere, to "protect all those who could be threatened."

Actor Gary Oldman, who portrays Commissioner Jim Gordon in the film, said in a statement, "My prayers and deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families of this horrific act."

Scott Beggs, managing editor of the website Film School Rejects, said the film franchise has been popular because "at the heart of (the film) is a central heroic figure that gives hope to people."

Beggs pointed out that the death of actor Heath Ledger from a toxic combination of prescription drugs in 2008 cast a bit of a pall over "The Dark Knight," but did not taint the legacy of what went on to become a critically acclaimed film. Ledger was posthumously awarded an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as The Joker in that movie.

"(That second film) was touched by tragedy, but I believe the art ended up speaking for itself," Beggs said. "(The shootings in Colorado) were a tragic event that took place, which hopefully will not stop us from living our lives."

Are you there? Share your story on CNN iReport and post tributes to the victims.